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J> A U S TRLIA~ g
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 2 OCTOBER 19.77
ELECTORATE TALK
For most of us who live in the great cities, the problems of outback
life are given little or only very cursory thought. We are
preoccupied with our own problems, our own backyard.
For Governments too particularly a Canberra-based national
Government the problems of outback living can sometimes be
very easily misunderstood. This can then often lead to Government
policy solutions that are much less than satisfactory. It is then
that politicians and public servants hear the cry ' you just don't
understand our real--problems; you spend all your time in Canberra;
how can you understand?' Perhaps there is more validity to this
cry than politicians care to admit.
It was for that basic reason that I and Government colleagues made
a visit to central, western and northern Queensland during the week.
The visit certainly brought home a vivid picture of the concerns
and the needs of thousands of men, women and children who have made
that part of Australia their home.
Most Australians enjoy and appreciate such services as handy schools,
television and daily postal services. . In fact, we take them very
much for granted. For families living in isolated areas like
central western Queensland, these kind of services simply do not
exist. They do not play a part in their lives. Mail can often
take up to two or three weeks to get to and from a capital city.
Television reception either black and white or colour is a
luxury that is frequently only enjoyed on a visit to Brisbane or
another large city, while schooling is frequently left to parental
care, or is conducted over a radio phone. The great distances and
physical conditions also present their own special problems such
as high transport maintenance costs and fuel costs.
Perhaps not surprisingly, this kind of life breeds an independence,
a sense of purpose and a bluntness in speech. This is not an unruly
bluntness. It is not unreasonable. It is not unfair. It is simply
a no-nonsense way of meeting and talking about problems head on.
It implies as I found out particularly when talking to a deputation
of trade unionists from the township of Mary Kathleen also
a willingness to listen to another view. It implies a willingness
to listen to argument without resort to unlawful or unreasonable
behaviour. / Politicians
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Politicians from all political parties and community leaders
from all walks of life could do much worse than seek to emulate
the kind of spirit that is very much in evidence in outback
Queensland. Despite the-clearly obvious difficulties in day to day living,
the men and women I and my colleagues spoke with were uncomplaining.
They accepted that some of their problems could be overcome with
work, imagination and a willingness to help each other out. Of
course, these people know that decisions of Government have a very
real and direct effect on their way of life.
I and my Government are acutely aware of the need to get a firsthand
knowledge of the problems, so that we can at least be in a
position-to make policy decisions that can have practical effect.
While the people we met were appreciative of the measures the
Government is taking to aid the rural community during its current
difficulties, they were not willing to ' leave it all to the
Government'. These families value their independence. They value what they have
built. They are determined that their effort and the efforts of
their forebears on the land will not be thrown away.
Despite the very serious problems in the rural community, particularly
among beef produ'cers, -th-6" Queenslanders we met this week are facing
the future with spirit and determination. They have confidence
in their own ability to see through this difficult time. They have
confidence in their state, and certainly have a great confidence in
their country. It is Part of their make-up and part of their
character. I believe it is a part that all Australians should seek to copy.